Zion Baptist Church, St John’s Street, Bolton: Additions

The original Zion Baptist School-Chapel in St John’s Street was built in 1885-1886 to the designs of Richard Hargreaves of London, formerly of St George’s Terrace Bolton. The foundation stone of which was laid on 14 November 1885 by William Kay, Timber merchant of Bolton. By 1907 the increase in the size of the congregation necessitated the conversion of the existing building into a chapel for congregational purposes and the erection of a new school assembly room alongside. On Saturday 13 November 1907 was laid the foundation stone of the extensions.

ZION BAPTIST NEW SCHOOL - New premises are to be inaugurated for the Zion Baptists of Bolton in St. John-street, to-day The present school is to be adapted for purely congregational purposes. A new narthex is to be provided with inner porch and double doors to prevent draughts and the church supplied with modern pitch-pine seating. The choir seating is slightly raised above the main floor and a gallery over the porch is provided. The total seating accommodation will provide for 367 persons. A new school hall will be built to the right of the church and contiguous, 48 feet by 22 feet 9 inches.  with the gallery over entrance, and the side balcony connecting the gallery with classrooms on second floor in the rear; also infants' classroom and three vestries, on the ground floor. three classrooms on the first and three on the third floor, with tea rooms, lavatories, etc approached by means of a roomy staircase and completely fill up a somewhat restricted site. The chapel and school galleries are entered by the front staircase from their respective inner vestibules. The school premises are expected to provide accommodation for 400 scholars. The classrooms vary in sizes and are adapted for senior and junior classes. and one as a ladies' parlour. The whole of the buildings are being built with local brick, plain but substantial character, and to harmonise with the present church. Low-pressure heating with inlet and outlet ventilators are provided, and electric lighting throughout. Messrs. E. and D. Maginnis are the sole contractors. the heating being let to Mr. J. W. Witter, Spa Road, Bolton; Messrs Potts, Son and Hennings, F.R.I.B.A.. 79 St. George's Road. Bolton are the architects. [Farnworth Chronicle - Saturday 13 July 1907 page 13]

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH. EXTENSION OF THE CAUSE. - To-day will be a red-letter day in the history of local Baptists with the opening of a new school and classroom - extensions necessitated by the expansion of the cause around and about John Street. ….  The new school premises which provide accommodation for about 400 scholars, consist of new schoolroom with gallery and side balcony, three classrooms, infants' school and ladies and gentlemen's lavatories on the ground floor; ladies' parlour, large and small classrooms on the first floor; and recreation room, large classroom and kitchen. with the usual equipment on the second floor. An easy staircase provide access to school and chapel gallery. Large heating cellar and yard conveniences complete this portion of the scheme.

The present church has still to be entirely remodelled, including the addition of spacious vestibule and narthex, and gallery. With entirely new front of pressed brick and stone dressings to harmonise with the school front which is treated in the same manner. New pitch pine pews to seat 300 persons, and rostrum, with baptistry in concrete faced with marble granolithic will be installed, special choir seating and space for new organ completing the church portion of the scheme. The entire cost of both schemes is about £2,000. Messrs E. and D. Maginnis are the builders. Mr. J. W. Witter is the heating engineer, and Messrs Francis and Co. has installed the electric light.  Messrs. Potts. Son and Hennings. F.R.I.B.A., St. George's Road, are the architects. [Farnworth Chronicle - Saturday 22 February 1908 Page 15]

Reference    Bolton Evening News 15 July 1907 page 2 – stone laying ceremony
Reference    Farnworth Chronicle - Saturday 13 July 1907 page 13
Reference    Farnworth Chronicle - Saturday 22 February 1908 Page 15
Reference    Farnworth Chronicle - Saturday 9 May 1908 Page 8 – reopening of chapel